Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Probe decries Zimbabwe army's deadly post-vote crackdown
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS DECEMBER 18, 2018 / 10:45 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
Probe decries Zimbabwe army's deadly post-vote crackdown
MacDonald Dzirutwe
3 MIN READ
HARARE (Reuters) - The Zimbabwean military’s use of live bullets to quell post-election violence in the summer was “disproportionate and unjustified”, according to an inquiry released on Tuesday.
Six protesters and bystanders died and dozens were injured in violence after delays in announcing results that made Emmerson Mnangagwa the first elected head of state since Robert Mugabe’s removal from power last year.
Most Zimbabweans had hoped the July 30 vote would end the country’s pariah status and help usher in an economic recovery. Instead, it plunged Zimbabwe into turmoil reminiscent of contested votes during Mugabe’s 37 years of rule.
An investigation found the deployment of the military was legal but that soldiers should have operated under police command, which was impeded by the sudden surge of trouble.
“The use of live ammunition directed at people, especially when they were fleeing, was clearly unjustified and disproportionate,” said the report, extracts of which Mnangagwa read to reporters.
-snip-
Probe decries Zimbabwe army's deadly post-vote crackdown
MacDonald Dzirutwe
3 MIN READ
HARARE (Reuters) - The Zimbabwean military’s use of live bullets to quell post-election violence in the summer was “disproportionate and unjustified”, according to an inquiry released on Tuesday.
Six protesters and bystanders died and dozens were injured in violence after delays in announcing results that made Emmerson Mnangagwa the first elected head of state since Robert Mugabe’s removal from power last year.
Most Zimbabweans had hoped the July 30 vote would end the country’s pariah status and help usher in an economic recovery. Instead, it plunged Zimbabwe into turmoil reminiscent of contested votes during Mugabe’s 37 years of rule.
An investigation found the deployment of the military was legal but that soldiers should have operated under police command, which was impeded by the sudden surge of trouble.
“The use of live ammunition directed at people, especially when they were fleeing, was clearly unjustified and disproportionate,” said the report, extracts of which Mnangagwa read to reporters.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-violence/probe-decries-zimbabwe-armys-deadly-post-vote-crackdown-idUSKBN1OH1PE